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An 



ORATION, 



Delivered, by appointmekt' 



BEFORE THE 



ALBANY AND TROY CITY GUARDS, 



AND THE 



COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALBANY, 



ON THE 23d FEBRUARY, 1813. 



IN COMMEMMORATIOISr 



OF THE 



BirtJi of Washington, 



BY FRANCIS M. SOUTHWICK. 



ALBANY: 
PRINTED BY I. W. CLARK. 



1818. 
CO 




/ 



Albany., February 26, 1818. 
SIR, 

IN obedience to my owa feelings and the wishes of the company under my 
command, I request that you will favor me with a copy of your Oration, delivered on 
the 23d inst. for publication. 

I am, Respectfully, 

Yours, 

H. A. WIUJAMS. 
Mr, P.M. SouTHwicK. 

Albany, February 21, 1818. 
Capt. H. a. Williams, 

Sib, 

AccHPT my thanks, for the polite manner in which you have expressed 
your own wish, and thatoftlie company you command, for the publication of my 
Oration, delivered on the 23d inst. Independent of your flattering request, the con- 
stitution of our company, which institutes annual orations, also declares they shall be 
published. Therefore, I am not at liberty to refuse to the public eye, a composition, 
which the youth and inexperience of its author, ought, perhaps, to shield from the se- 
verity of criticismj 

lam Sir, 

with the highest respect 
and esteem, Yours, 

F. M. SOUTHWICK, 



/ 



ORATION. 



W, 



HAT can be more gratifyiug, what raore cuugeuiai to lli« 
feeliogs of a philanthropist, than to behold a great and free peo- 
ple annually assembling to bestow their only remaining tribute of 
affection, at the shrine of the preserver of their liberties, the fa- 
ther and protector of their country. Imagination canoot paint a 
scene more magnificent, cannot conceive a spectacle more in- 
teresting to ihe feelings of a patriot, a statesman, or philosopher. 
On this occasion, in order to form a just idea of the character of 
that sage and hero, whose virtues we are now assembled to com- 
memorate, it will be necessary to take a brief retrospective view 
of the first settlement of our country. Our forefathers, driven 
from their native homes by the iron hand of tyranny and oppres- 
sion, by the accursed zeal of bigotry and fanaticism, were doom- 
ed to contend with the tyrant ocean, and with savages on their 
landing, still more remorseless and unrelenting. They combat- 
ted the storms of the ocean with fortitude and perseverance, and 
feith no less fortitude, ihey encountered the rude and savage en- 
emy on shore. What an assylum was Ibis for the bold spirit of 
freedom to repose in ! And how well described by a poet, whose 
patriotic ardor is as lively as his devotion to the muses. 

" O'er the wild mountains and luxuriant plains; 
Nature in all the pomp of beauty reigns, 
]a all the pride of freedom. — Naturk fbee, 
Proclaims that man was born for liberty : 
She flourishes where'er the sun beams play 
O'er liviag fountains, sallying into day ; 
She withers where the waters cease to roll, 



6 

And night and winter stagnate round tiie pole : 
Man too, where freedom's streams and fountains ri;c, 
Springs from the dust and blossoms to the skies ; 
Dead to the joys of light and life, the slave 
Clings to the clod ; his root is in the grave ; 
Bondage is winter, darkness, death, despair ; 
Freedom the sun, the sea, the mountains, and the air." 

Our ancestors landed aud became the proprietors of the soil. Ac- 
cording to a mistaken sentiment that prevails, the inhabitants ol" 
whatever kingdom, when they take possession of a newly disco- 
vered territory, slill remain the subjects of the country they have 
abandoned ; consequently our fore-fathers became the colonial 6ub» 
jscis of Great-Britain, aud would have continued as such to this 
day, had not that government, at the instigation of some blind 
and impolitic statesmen, adopted the odious and disgraceful pro- 
ject of transferring tlie property of the colonists to the mother 
country ; had they not, urged on by this infatuated policy, evin- 
ced a determination to crush forever the liberties of their colo- 
nies. They disregarded our rights; they spurned aud ridiculed 
our noble and dignified remonstrances ; they infringed on our 
principles, and instituted a hateful and oppressive system of tax- 
ation. The higli born spirits who had fled from their native hills, 
the victims of lawless tyranny, scorned to be the calm and unmo- 
ved spectators of acts derogatory to tijeir feelings, aud annihila- 
tinii their liberties. They remonstrated with calmness; they en- 
dured with fortitude, till submission any longer would have been 
base, uniManly, and ignoble. The spirit of freedom burst upon 
our land. She was about retiring from the world. Driveu from 
Switzerland, Poland and the Adriatic shores by tyranny, usurpa- 
tion and ambition, she sought in America an asylum, and was 
\yc!comed by the unanimous shouts of millions. Here she reared 
licr temple and blessed the land with her smiles — here she erect- 
ed her sanctuary, a sacred refuge from every species of slavery 
aud opprGasion. Cherish her, protect her, and bequeath her 
to posterity, pure and unsullied; for in her they will find a 
safeguard more secure than triple walls, or towersj of iron, more 
lasting and pcrraap.cnt than pillars of adamant. Yes, Fellow- 



Soldiers, you will preserve her iaviolatc, and transmit her as a sa- 
cred pledge to poslerity. The revolutionary spirit that fired the 
bosom orourilkistrious Washington is not extinct, it still enlivens 
and animates the breasts of his defcendanis ; time cannot quench 
Ihe flame ; 'lis pure and steady as the sun, everlasting as the hills. 
Washington ! With what enthusiasm does the mention of that 
name inspire us ; it operates like a talieman. Yes, fellow-soldiers, 
I perceive by the ardor of your looks, by the animated glow that 
beams upon ycur countenances, that we feel alike ; that we feeJ 
as becomes Americans, and the descendants of heroes. It has 
been customary on such occasions to delineate the character oC 
Washington ; how shall I approach it ? reverence, mingled with 
awe, strikes me forcibly when I attempt to portray it. The re- 
cital of hJs virtues must inspire emulation. The relation of his 
•warlike achievements must kindle in your bosoms a desire to^, 
imitate and follow his illustrious example. His justice, bis pru- 
dence, his zeal, and devotion to liberty and his country, have en- 
sured him imraortalify ; it is not confined to America alone ; the 
trumpet of fame has sounded his eulogium in every quarter ot 
the universe. The wild and uncultivated Arabs have become 
familiar with his actions. The universal world pay respect to 
Lis character, ami do homage to his virtues. Where, in ancient 
or modern history, shall I look for a comparison. The names oi 
Cyrus, Theseus and Romulus, the founders of the greatest em- 
pires in the world, will sink unknown and unheeded in the great 
sepulchre of time, before the services rendered us by Washington 
can be effaced from the memory of man. Turn over (be annals 
of Grecian hirfory, you will find conquerors and warriors, but 
you will find them Ambition's slaves. You will behold their Al- 
exander desolating the world, ravaging and destroying; and in a 
momeiit of intemperate phrenzy, annihilating Perse[>oli?, one of 
the meet ancient and magnificent cities in the world. Turn 
from Persepolis to Tyre, and view llie blood streaming from ten 
thousand bodies, to gratify the sanguinary disposition of this ruth- 
less conqueror. Washington was temperate and humane ,• (he 
rigid principles of war never inCucnced him to cverlock (he sa- 



8 

cred rights of man. The horrid scenes to which he had been 
Sccustomed, never steeled his heart against the softer impressions 
of humanity. From Greece turn to Rome, who once proudly 
styled herself the mistress of the world ; glance over the records 
of her heroes and her statesmen; compare their characters with 
that of Washington ; and the fame of her Cato and Caesar shrinks 
into the dark tomb of oblivion. The one, with all his virtue, his 
fortitude, shrunk in the day of trial and was afraid to live. The 
other fought, conquered, and enslaved his country. Washington 
fought, triumphed, and gave us freedom. 

The renowned heroes of former ages possessed the advan- 
tages of great resources and disciplined armies. But look at 
the situation of our revolutionary army, naked and perishing; 
the blood gushing from their feet; the cold keen blast whist- 
ling tlirough their tattered garments, exhausted with hunger 
and fatigue, without arms, nearly destitute of ammunition, sur- 
jrounded by a well organized and disciplined enemy, superior 
in numbers and experience, every possib'e inducement to de- 
sertion full in their view, but still kept together by the skill 
and address of our illustrious preserver, and led to the plains of 
Princetowo, Trenton, Yorktovvn, and Monmouth, where victory 
perched on their standard ; and so long as they retain their 
names, will stand imperishable monuments of the bravery and he- 
roism of the father of our country. Perhaps your expectations 
would be disappointed, were I to pass over in total silence, the he- 
roes of our own age. Napoleon stands pre-eminent ; but Napoleon 
was the slave of ambition; tis true, he fought for liberty, but the 
glitter of a diadem destroyed bis love of freedom; he possessed 
not virtue sufficient to resist the temptation ; " he knelt and 
took the sceptre, and in the title of Emperor sullied for ever the 
glory of the revolutionary hero." But the hero of Lodi and Wa- 
gram's Ridge has fallen ; let ambition mark the fate of its votary, 
and view the wide scene of war, tumult, and desolation he passed 
through ; then change the scene, and behold him a captive in a 
remote and sequestered isle. Washington could not be tempted; 
the pomp and splendor of royalty could not make him desert the 
paths of rectitude and honor. His principles were firm, kie integ* 



nty unimpeachable ; he was brave without rashness, indefatigable 
without ambition, liberal without prodigality, and virtuous uith- 
Gut austerity. Having consummated the task assigned to him, and 
arrived at the zenith of his glory, he retired, like our Saviour, to 
the mount, whence he ascended. Death has not destroyed Im 
usefulness ; he has left us the constitution as a monument of his 
wisdom, which so long as we preserve, untouched and uncon- 
laminated, will stand like a wall of tire round our continent, and 
preserve us from anarchy, disunion and slavery. 

Fellow-Soldiers, I must congratulate you on the prosper- 
perous and flourishing condition of our country. The reign of war 
and discord is no more; party dissentions have ceased, internal 
and local hostilities have subsided; peace with her concomitant 
blessings smiles upon our land ; patriotism, deliberation, and wis- 
dom mark the councils of our country ; our agricultural and com- 
mercial interests have revived ; our manufactories have excited 
the attention of our rulers. The fostering hand of government 
is already extended over these great resources of our national 
wealth and prosperity. What breast but swells with enthusiasm, 
when contemplating the bright scene which developes itself to 
Our country. I can behold, in imagination, the vast and unculti- 
vated wilderness of the west, bowing beneath the vigorous arm 
of our sturdy and independent husbandmen : I can behold tem- 
ples erected, devoted to religion, science and the arts, where now 
the savage Indian roams free and unmolested. 

" Come, brigtit improvement ! on the car of time, 
And rule the spacious world from clime to clime, 
Thy handmaid arts shall every wild explore, 
Trace every wave, and culture every shore. 
On Erie's banks, where tygers steal along, 
And the dread Indian chants a dismal song, 
Where human fiends on midnight errands wait. 
And bathe in brains the raurd'rous tomahawk ; 
There shall the flocks on thimy pasture stray. 
And shepherds dance at summer's op'ning day ; 
Each wand'ring genius of the lonely glen. 
Shall start to view the glittering haunts of men j 
And silent watch on woodland heights around, 
The village curfew, as it tolls profound."^ 

B 



Fellow-Soldiers, I have made a feel)le atlempt to pot- 
tray the great and exalted character of our common lather. Let 
ine exhort you to profit hy hie exam[)le, and the exam.de of that 
revolutionary army which fought and hied lor every privilege we 
now deem invaluable: Remember that strict subordination is 
necessary to preserve every military association. Recollect that 
subordination consists in obeying the commands oi' your superi- 
ors, in doing the duties assigned to you with cheerfulness and alac. 
rify, andnever deviating from an uniform, upri:;ht and soldier, 
like conduct. Let it be your highest ambition to exalt the char- 
acter and respectability of our company ; be delibera'e in the 
formation of your plans, but firm and determined in their execu" 
lion. Endeavor to excel in military discij)line and a knowledge 
of military tactics. Encourage improvements in dress, and be 
liberal towards improving the appearance of the cori»9. Discard 
party strife, if any exist ; view with indignant scorn every attempt 
•to disunite, or scatter the seeds of discord in your ranks. Be 
united, were the last words that trembled from the^ips of Wash- 
ington ; be this your motto ; adhere to it rigidly, and the tall 
■white plume shall wave triumphant, without opposition, without 
a rival. , 

TunN now, my companions, from scenes which make the 
bosom ulow with pride, the heart vibrate with*pleasing emotion ; 
a mournful sensation rises in my soul. Too loil^have I withheld 
from you this subject. I was reluctant to introduce a melancholy 
theme ; but the sacred impulse of gratitude commands, and far be 
it from me to sfifie the rising emotion. Arc we all here assem- 
bled? Is there none, is there not one wanting to complete the fes- 
tivity on this occasion ? Would to God I could say there were 
none ; but the black mournful bandage, that emblem of sorrow* 
T\'hich encircles your arms, tells me in language, too pow- 
erful and hear'-piercing, that the patron and foumler of this 
company is not amongst us ; that the first captain and leader of 
this corps, now sleeps cold and lifeless in the dark, gloomy se- 
pulchre ; that the form we once beheld with respect and admira- 
tion, is cow the prey of worms ; that the tongue which once 



n 

gare us the word of command, is now silenced by the dread king 
of terrors; that the hand which formerly was wont to extend it- 
self and welcome us with cordiality, is now palsied and withered. 

Oh death ! why arm with cruelty thy power, 
And spare the idle weed, yet lop the flower. 

There are some here present, who, when his country called for 
his services, accompanied and assisted him in the performance of 
his duty. On you then, I call ; weep, mourn, mingle your tears 
together; suppress not the sacred emotions of sympathy and 
gratitude ; weep, for he never more will rise. We all knew him ; 
the greater part here assembled, served under him. Freely, then, 
flow your tears, for he will never return ; never again animate 
with his presence, our scenes of festivity and social intercourse; 
never again greet us with the cordial smile of friendship ; never 
clasp us by the hand in the ardor and warmth of feeling. He 
breathed his last in the land of strangers; strangers administered 
round the death-bed of our friend, our patron, and our chief. The 
friends of his youth, the companions of his manhood, were not 
there to pour, in his dying bosom, the sweet balm of consolation, 
to bedew his grave with the sacred tears of friendship. The 
muffled drum, the shriil fife, the inverted arms, the mournful 
inarch, were not there to perform the last sacred obsequies due to 
departed worth and excellence. 

Fellow-Soldiers, my young friends and companions in 
arms, the loss we have sustained in the melancholly severance 
from our beloved founder and friend, is grievous indeed; but it h 
profitable for reflection, for admonition. It brings home to our 
recollection the uncertainty of life ; it calls upon us to improve 
our time by devoting it exclusively to noble pursuits ; pursuits 
worthy of American soldiers, of American citizens, the di3cij)les 
of Washington, and sons of freedom. " Then let us be renowned 
when we may, and leave our fame behind us, like the last beams 
of the sun, when he hides his red hcid in the west. The travel- 
er mourns his absence, thinking of the flame of his beams.'* 



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